Thursday, June 5th
Reading for today:  1 Kings 1-2,  Psalm 37, 71 and 94

1 Kings 1-2.  The account of the end of David's reign, and the beginning of Solomon's.    Even after publicly declaring that Solomon would be king (and gathering the officials to command them to help Solomon build the temple, etc.)  Joab still tries to wrestle the kingdom away from David's line...co-conspirator with David's own son. (again).    David was better at leading the nation than he was his own family.  I read today that David never really asked his boy "why are behaving like you do?".    Children who are given everything, and are never punished, reprimanded or challenged in any way become spoiled.  They become a difficulty to the whole of society, not just their own families.   I suspect that we are over-run with spoiled people in the US right now.   People who acknowledge no god but themselves, or a god of their own imagination.  People who believe that whatever you can grab becomes yours...it doesn't matter how you obtained it.   Be it political office or some power or authority.  The current thought seems to be that lying is okay, and squandering the public trust is okay, as long as it gets you what you want.
This passage reminds us (especially including the psalms) that a Holy God is watching, and is willing and able to punish those who do not obey His guidance.

Those who take advantage of others may flourish temporarily, but they will not survive.   As we well know, there is a life beyond this life, and a future awaiting us that is worth the sacrifices required here.

The evil prey upon the weak.  I see it in the elderly king, who is unable to leave his bed on most days.   Like a pack of wolves surrounding their prey, they wait for just the right moment to pounce.   I see evil men surrounding Israel even today, waiting for just the right moment.   The good news is that they will be unsuccessful.

Psalm 37, 71 and 94.  the common theme is all of these is the futility of the wicked, and the eternal glory of the righteous.   As I read David's description of evil people, I see that not much as changed in roughly 3,000 years.    There is no shortage of people who want to take advantage of others.  In fact, honesty is becoming so rare that an honest person is almost popular just because they are honest.

Todays readings encourage me to continue on the pathc of obedience to God's will.  They encourage me to follow Him, reassuring me that I will be rewarded for my obedience.   They encourage me to not become angry and vindictive when I see evil prospering.  It is a temporary anomaly, destined to die before it comes to fruition, like a weed in the garden.

Which brings me back to the first passage.   David was adamant that Solomon punish the few people who had been deceptive and wicked during David's reign.   I think the Lord was in that decision, because it underscores the fact that evil will be punished, and we aren't going to "get away with" bad behavior in God's eyes.